Cost of living in smaller cities shoots up

Metros are not the only expensive places to live in as consumers have seen the retail prices of most essential food items having soared by up to 80 per cent in the last four years. The price rise in five non-metro cities in different regions of the country like Lucknow, Bhubaneswar and Shimla -- are either more or at least in line with that of metropolis.

The trend seen in the retail prices, based on an analysis of data available with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, come amid the wholesale price-based inflation figure having surged to its highest level in seven years at 8.75 per cent.

Besides, the economists expect the inflation figure to soon touch double-digit mark at 10 per cent, because of recent hike in fuel prices, which could further push up the retail prices.

Between May 24, 2004 and June 12, 2008, rice prices have gone up by over 73 per cent in Ahmedabad at Rs 15.25 per kg, while those in Shimla rose by about 63 per cent, Lucknow by 53 per cent, Bangalore by 50 per cent, Bhubaneswar by 44 per cent and Hyderabad by 30 per cent.

In the four metros, rice prices rose by 25-52 per cent. Wheat prices have spiralled by over 57 per cent to Rs 11 a kg in Lucknow, by 25 per cent in Bangalore, 30 per cent in Hyderabad and 21 per cent in Ahmedabad.

In four metros, wheat prices have gone up in the range of 42-48 per cent. Mumbai witnessed the highest rise of Rs 5 a kg to Rs 15.5. Wheat flour (atta) prices have become expensive by over 63 per cent in Lucknow at Rs 13 a kg. In Bangalore, it went up by 33 per cent, Hyderabad by 38 per cent, Bhubaneswar 22 per cent, Shimla 43 per cent and Ahmedabad by 50 per cent.

In comparison, the wheat flour became costlier by 42-62 per cent in the metros.

Like rice and wheat, pulses prices have also gone up sharply during last four years in all these cities.

Gram prices shot up by 80 per cent in Lucknow at Rs 36 a kg, 73 per cent in Shimla, 57 per cent in Ahmedabad, 48 per cent in Bhubaneswar, 35 per cent in Bangalore and 60 per cent in Hyderabad. In metros, the prices rose by 50-57 per cent.

Tur (arhar) prices increased by 48 per cent in Lucknow at Rs 43 a kg, 42-43 per cent in Shimla and Bhubaneswar, 37 per cent in Ahmedabad, 29 per cent in Hyderabad and 6 per cent in Bangalore. In metros, the rates went up by 33-50 per cent.

In vegetable oils section, the prices of groundnut oil prices advanced by 43 per cent in Ahmedabad at Rs 73.5 a litre, 26 per cent in Shimla, 19 per cent in Lucknow, 29 per cent in Hyderabad and 31 per cent in Bangalore. In metros, the prices rose in the range of 24-73 per cent.

In metros, mustard oil became expensive by up to 50 per cent in three metros. But prices have declined in Mumbai.

Mustard oil prices rose by 49 per cent in Ahmedabad at Rs 65.5 a litre, 48 per cent in Lucknow, 46 per cent each in Shimla and Bhubaneswar, and 22 per cent in Hyderabad.

Vanaspati prices soared 42 per cent in Ahmedabad to Rs 65 a kg, 31 per cent in Shimla, 22 per cent in Lucknow, 30 per cent in Hyderabad, 21 per cent in Bhubaneswar and 17 per cent in Bangalore. In metros also, it rose by 19-35 per cent.

Milk prices increased by 43 per cent in Bhubaneswar, 23 per cent in Bangalore, 29 per cent in Hyderabad, 20 per cent each in Lucknow and Shimla. In metros, Kolkata witnessed 65 per cent rise in milk prices at Rs 28 a litre. Other three metros saw rise of 29-43 per cent.